Thimbles ... They Matter.

 Thimbles ... They Matter

It's about 11:00 am on Saturday 12/1.  My mother just called me practically in tears.  "Its so so cold, I just brought cleaning supplies down to Guyon Rescue but what is that going to do? It feels like I was giving them a thimble when they have to bail out the ocean!" 

This is it - That is the fight -  Right here is the perfect example of where the true battle lies.  IT LIES WITHIN US. 

It is how we perceive the tasks in front of us that will determine success or failure.

My mother, who works at Staten Island University Hospital, who sees some of the most disturbing things on a day to day basis, a women I consider to be one of the strongest people I know was powerfully affected by the reality of the situation, again. (There's that reminding that I talk about us needing) It is okay to need to be reminded of the enormity of the situation or to be reminded that even the "smallest" acts of kindness are important.   The reminders are not wasteful if action comes of them.  So I humbly, graciously, and respectfully remind anyone who might need reminding (including myself):

We must stay strong. 
We must continue to give our thimbles of support. 
Please don't think it's too little or not needed anymore or not enough to bother.

Remember when you give anything (money, food, toiletries, cleaning supplies, time, etc) you are actually giving your thought, your concern, your awareness, your energy ... THESE things are what matter more then anything else! 

Please see "The List" and contact an organization in your area to see what they need and then gather your thimbles of help.   I guarantee it will be needed and appreciated!

Volunteer This weekend

"Many of the groups who once had an abundance of people giving of their time are now struggling to find volunteers."   

So it has been 32 days since Sandy devastated the tri-state area.  Shopping for the holidays has begun, and Christmas decorations have started adorning houses.   Life has returned to normal for so many and we are thankful for that!  Lights have been turned on and gas is available.   The commute has returned to normal ...  well relatively!

Unfortunately so many people have not had their lives return to normal...  So much still needs to be done.  Please consider volunteering this weekend.  Many of the groups who once had an abundance of people giving of their time are now struggling to find volunteers.

Here is a list of wonderful organizations who have not stopped serving their communities!  Please remember to add to the comments any organizations that you know need volunteers... Thank you!!!   

This is a SHORT list of volunteer opps... PLEASE PLEASE see "The List" where you will be able to find many many MANY more opportunities volunteer! 

Many thanks for all who continue to share their time and energy...

"The List" (11/30/12) Groups, Info, Volunteer!

UPDATED:  12/4/12

UPDATED CHRISTMAS/HOLIDAY!!! :)

There are VOLUNTEER opps in every community! Please see groups in location where you want to donate your time!  :)

Go through it carefully to find what you are looking for ... Hope it helps!

PLEASE ADD - any orgs or corrections I missed to the comments section below and I will be updating this post regularly! Thank you!!!

------------------------------------------------
Christmas/Holiday

http://www.facebook.com/pages/NJ-Hurricane-Sandy-Christmas-Giving-Connection/428784863841296
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hurricane-Sandy-Adopt-a-Family-for-Christmas/262063393917218
http://www.facebook.com/pages/East-Rockaway-Hurricane-Christmas-Toy-Drive/460590717317120
http://www.facebook.com/ChristmasForHurricaneSandyVictims
http://www.facebook.com/groups/GiftsforGerritsen/?ref=ts&fref=ts
http://www.facebook.com/Santaclauseiscoming2town
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hurricane-Sandy-Holiday-Toy-Drive/281511811951811?ref=ts&fref=ts
http://www.facebook.com/OperationSandyChristmas
http://www.facebook.com/SecretSandy
http://www.facebook.com/events/126448734177240/
http://www.facebook.com/HolidayToysForChildrenAffectedByHurricaneSandy
http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/1XY8NPRI95GVY/ref=cm_sw_su_w

FundRasing!

Sandy Fundraisers!  

Updated 12/4/12

------------------------------------------------

Entrepreneurial Think Tank for Moms: http://ettmgoddardholiday.eventbrite.com

We Refuse to Sink!

We Refuse to Sink!

(In response to a "It Is In All Of Us" nomination I received this morning)

Thank you for that beautiful nomination.  I will certainly call you and get the details.

I am so so sorry for what you are going through.  I can't tell you that I fully understand because the reality is ... I don't - I didn't lose my home.  You are going through this, you and your neighbors.  BUT we will be here.  We will be here to bear witness to your struggle; we will be here to support you and help you get your needs met; we will be here to remind the rest of the world that you are going through this; we will be here to acknowledge and foster leadership,  effective community organizing, and of course ... resiliency.  We will help you find the resiliency you need to recover.  We being: "It Is In All Of Us", "Cancel The 2012 NYC Marathon", ALL of the wonderful organizations that have been created,  ALL of the amazing volunteers, organizers, donators, leaders, friends, family, and neighbors ...  I  Promise.  (Btw - I'm the MWISSWIM kind ... that's a "Mean What I say Say What I Mean" kind of person ... ;)

So this is why we created "It Is In all Of Us" Spotlight!  Already there are dozens of nominations for the spotlight and I can't wait to do the first one!!  Remember,  we will be doing a spotlight once a month for as long as we are here so if you or your nomination doesn't get picked this month - keep nominating!  :)

Thank you!  xoxo

It Is In All Of Us SPOTLIGHT!

 It Is In All Of Us - SPOTLIGHT! 

We are searching for groups and/or individuals who exemplify the meaning of "It Is In all Of Us"!! 

One group/individual will be in the spotlight each month! We will create a video and tell the world about the wonderful things they are doing...

Nominees (individual or group) should be demonstrating:
1) Leadership
2) Creativity
3) Strength of character
4) Action

Please comment your thoughts on who should be in the "It Is In All Of Us" spotlight!! Can't wait to hear from you!

Why Are Some Resilient and Others Not?

Good Morning!  I hope you are all having a wonderful Monday  :)

So I saw "Seeds Of Resiliency" last night.  It was moving - sad and happy; devastating and hopeful all at the same time.  This movie wonderfully exhibits how powerful our spirit, our hope, and our perception can be.

Although the movie left me feeling extremely hopeful and powerful it also left me feeling overwhelmed.  For a moment I was a bit consumed with thoughts of those who can't be resilient, those who are swallowed up by despair.  I thought about the perpetrators, those who thrive on the suffering of others or those who are not able to even recognize the suffering of others because they are blinded by their own selfish ways.  How can there be such a dichotomy? 

Then it hit me early this morning - Both have to exist.  Great resiliency can only come out of great hardship.  That is the the definition.  Inherent within resiliency is adversity.  It is not easy to beat off great pain and suffering.  They don't fight fair.  Pain and suffering are sneaky and manipulative.

BUT there will be many who who will beat them off and make their way to resiliency.   It is their presence and example that will give others unconscious permission to do the same.  They will remind us that it is in all of us...

"Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our greatest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, talented, fabulous?" Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing  enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in all of us. As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." Marianne Williamson